Skilled Immigration Stream
The Skills Immigration Stream is one of the most popular pathways for skilled and semi-skilled workers to immigrate to British Columbia. It is designed for individuals who have the skills and experience to fill labor shortages in high-demand occupations in the province.
The Skills Immigration Stream includes several categories: Skilled Worker, International Graduate, Entry Level and Semi-Skilled, Healthcare Professional, and International Post-Graduate. Each category has its own eligibility requirements, but in general, applicants must have a job offer from a BC employer in an in-demand occupation, meet the language and education requirements, and have sufficient funds to support themselves and their dependents.
One of the benefits of the Skills Immigration Stream is that it has a faster processing time compared to other immigration programs, which means that applicants can receive their nomination and permanent residence faster. It is also a pathway to permanent residence, which means that successful applicants can enjoy the benefits of living and working in Canada permanently.
The Skills Immigration Stream includes several categories:
- Skilled Worker
- International Graduate
- Health Authority
- International Post-Graduate
- Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS)
- BC PNP Tech
Most BC Skills Immigration programs demand that applicants have a job offer from a BC employer. However, an employment offer is accepted under BC Skills Immigration without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Candidates must first register with BC PNP Online through the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) to be considered for British Columbia Skills Immigration.
Skilled Worker
The Skilled Worker program in British Columbia (BC) is a pathway for skilled workers who want to live and work in the province. This program is designed to attract individuals who have the skills and experience needed to support BC’s labor market needs.
To be eligible for the Skilled Worker program in BC, applicants must have a valid job offer from a BC employer in a skilled occupation. They must also meet the minimum language proficiency requirements and have the required education and work experience for the job.
Once an application is approved, the applicant will receive a nomination from the BC government, which can increase their chances of being approved for permanent residency in Canada. The nomination is then submitted to the federal government for processing.
International Graduate
The International Graduate program in British Columbia (BC) is a pathway for international students who have graduated from eligible BC post-secondary institutions and want to stay and work in the province. This program is designed to help retain international talent and support the growth of BC’s economy.
To be eligible for the International Graduate Program in BC, applicants must have graduated from an eligible program at a BC post-secondary institution within the past three years. They must also have a valid job offer from a BC employer in a skilled occupation.
The BC government will nominate the candidate when their application is accepted, which may improve their prospects of being granted permanent status in Canada. The federal government is then notified of the nomination for processing.
Health Authority
The Health Authority program in British Columbia (BC) is a specialized stream of the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) that is designed to attract and retain skilled workers in the healthcare sector.
To be eligible for the Health Authority program, applicants must have a job offer from one of BC’s five regional health authorities, or from one of the publicly funded health organizations in the province. The job offer must be for a position in one of the eligible healthcare occupations, which can include physicians, nurses, medical laboratory technologists, and more.
Applicants must also meet the minimum language proficiency requirements and have the required education and work experience for the job. Additionally, they may need to provide evidence of their professional credentials and registration with the relevant regulatory body in BC.
The Health Authority program in BC is a valuable pathway for skilled healthcare workers who want to build their careers in the province and contribute to its healthcare system. The program helps to address the shortage of skilled workers in the healthcare sector and ensures that patients in BC have access to high-quality care.
International Post-Graduate
The International Post-Graduate (IPG) program in British Columbia (BC) is designed for international students who have graduated with a Masters or Ph.D. degree from one of BC’s eligible institutions in one of BC’s eligible programs.
They must also have a valid job offer from a BC employer in a skilled occupation. They must also have the required language proficiency and financial support to settle in BC.
Once an application is approved, the applicant will receive a nomination from the BC government, which can increase their chances of being approved for permanent residency in Canada. The nomination is then submitted to the federal government for processing.
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS)
The Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) program in British Columbia (BC) is designed to help employers in the province fill vacancies for certain occupations that require lower levels of formal training or education.
To be eligible for the ELSS program, applicants must have a valid job offer from a BC employer in an eligible occupation. These occupations are usually in industries such as hospitality, tourism, and food processing. Applicants must also meet the minimum language proficiency requirements and have the necessary skills and experience for the job.
Once an application is approved, the applicant will receive a nomination from the BC government, which can increase their chances of being approved for permanent residency in Canada. The nomination is then submitted to the federal government for processing.
BC PNP Tech
When local skilled employees are unavailable, BC PNP Tech allows B.C. tech firms to continue to attract and retain foreign talent in tech vocations. This project provides a road to permanent residency for high-demand foreign employees and international students, allowing them to contribute to the growth of our economy and make a fulfilling life in British Columbia.
Since its inception in May 2017, BC PNP IT has assisted over 6,000 Tech employees in being nominated for permanent residence. BC PNP Tech pathway ensures that British Columbia can continue to recruit and retain the talent required to sustain and expand the province’s technology economy.
General Requirements under BC PNP
1. Intention to Live in British Columbia
2. Economic Benefit to British Columbia
- Maintaining or creating jobs for Canadians
- Transferring knowledge and skills to Canadians
- Supporting the development of proprietary new products
- Building the workforce for a major project
3. Immigration Status in Canada
4. Language Proficiency
- NOC TEER 2, 3, 4, 5 – Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 in each of the four competencies
- NOC TEER 0, 1 – not required to submit valid language test results at the time of registration.
| Minimum language score | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Listening |
Reading |
Writing |
Speaking |
|
| IELTS |
4.5 |
3.5 |
4 |
4 |
| CELPIP |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
| TEF |
145 |
121 |
181 |
181 |
| TCF |
331 |
342 |
4 |
4 |
5. Signed Job Offer Letter
- Or an occupation that is eligible under the stream you selected.
- For full-time employment.
- Signed and dated by a B.C. employee, or owner, of the company who is authorized to hire employees.
- Signed and dated by you confirming that you accept the job offer.
- For a job in B.C.; and
- Indeterminate. (Not be temporary or have a defined end date.)
6. Eligible B.C. Employer
Employer must:
*If an employer misrepresents information and/or documentation, the BC PNP may refuse to accept an application supported by that business for up to two years.
*Employers supporting BC PNP applicants don’t need a federal Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to hire a foreign worker.
Employers must provide the following documents to support the employee’s application:
- BC PNP employer declaration form
- Recommendation letter
- Copy of the signed job offer.
- Detailed job description
- Evidence of recruitment efforts
- Company information
- Copy of the Certificate of incorporation (or legal equivalent)
- Copy of municipal business license
- National Safety Code Program number (commercial vehicle operators only)
7. Qualifications
- If mandatory certification, licensing, or registration, you must provide documentation at the time of application to the BC PNP.
- Transportation sector – must have valid Canadian Driver’s licenses.
- Health care assistants/health care aides (NOC 33102) – must be on the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker registry.
8. Wages
Your offered wage must be:
*consistent with the wage compensation structure of your employer. The BC PNP will not consider bonuses, commissions, profit-sharing distributions, tips/gratuities, overtime wages, housing allowances, room and board, or other similar payments to be part of your wage.
9. Minimum Income
| Family income threshold | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Family size |
Metro Vancouver (CAD) |
Other Regions (CAD) |
|
1 |
26,620 |
22,186 |
|
2 |
33,141 |
27,619 |
|
3 |
40,743 |
33,954 |
|
4 |
49,467 |
41,226 |
|
5 |
56,105 |
46,757 |
|
6 |
63,276 |
52,735 |
|
7 or more |
70,449 |
58,713 |
10. Eligible Employment Situations
- You are receiving or entitled to wages for work performed for an organization.
- You do not hold or exercise control over an ownership stake of 10% or greater.
- The organization that is paying your wages, and directing and supervising your work, has a significant operational presence in British Columbia.
- Your work constitutes a direct economic benefit to British Columbia
- Independent contractor or subcontractor positions will not be approved.
| Summary of the Skilled Immigration Pathway | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Stream |
Who is it for? |
NOC TEER |
Is Express Entry applicable? |
| Skilled Workers |
Managers, professionals, and skilled tradespeople |
NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 |
Yes |
| Health Authority |
Workers employed by B.C. provincial health authorities |
Any NOC TEER category |
Yes |
| International Graduates |
Recent graduates with a degree or diploma from a Canadian college or university |
NOC 1, 2, and 3 NOC TEER 0 (management occupations) is not eligible under this Stream |
Yes |
| International Post-Graduates |
Recent graduates with an eligible master’s or doctoral degree/ Ph.D from a BC university. |
This pathway does not require a job offer |
Yes |
| Entry Level and Semi-Skilled |
Workers in tourism/hospitality, and food processing |
Selected occupations in NOC TEER 4 and 5 |
Yes |